Box-lining mechanism



w. s. WEBER. vB0X LINING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I5, I920. 1,383,682. Patented July 5,1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

rammed July 5, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. S. WEBER.

BOX LINING NIECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I5. I92o.

1,383,682, Patented July 5, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

page

W. S. WEBER.

BOX LINING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED APR. I5, 1920.

Patented July 5, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WALTER S. WEBER, F READING, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM 11 LUDEN, 0F READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

BOX-LINEN@ MECHANSM.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1921.

Application led April 15, 1920. Serial No. 374,023.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, W'ALTER Si. WEBER, a citizen of the United States, residinof at Reading, in the county of Berks and ntate of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in B0X-Lining Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in improved mechanism adapted particularly for automatically lining cartons having flaps for subscquently closing the same, and comprising means for cutting off Istrips from a roll of lining paper, forming the same into a folded lining, and inserting the latter through an open end of each of a passing series of previously formed cartons or containers. Main objects are to provide for insuring` the positive loca-tion of the cut-off lining strips, and the proper alinement of the open flap end of a carton with the folding and inserting plunger notwithstanding natural variations in the cartons; for holding the flaps of the boxes advantageously below the plunger; for automatically feeding the cartons to the reciprocating plunger; and generally for preventing waste of material and enabling a rapid and accurate operation essential to the securing of economical and satisfactory results. 'The invention is fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings and the novel fea-tures are pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a box lining machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 3 3 of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. Llis a sectional plan view on the line 4 4 of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail front view of the folding devices, indicating awcarton in position beneath the same, with the flap holding devices in position.

Fig. 6 is a similar longitudinal section at right angles to Fig. 5.

Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10, are perspective views indicating the various steps in the' folding of theliner.

As shown in the drawings 2 2 represent the side frames of a machine, which suitably support a drive shaft 3, a lever pivot shaft L1, a feed roll shaft 5, a table 6, and a boX carton or container feed way shelf 7. driije shaft 3, whichis rotated in any convenient manner, carries a series of cams operating upon a corresponding series of levers pivotally supported on shaft 4:, which levers are adapted to actuate the various coperating mechanisms, hereinafter fully described, in due sequence and time to perform the necessary accurate forming of each box lining and insertion of the same into` each passing box or container; the liner paper 8 being continuously supplied from a roll 81 carried on shaft 9, suitably lsupported in brackets of the side frames 2 2.

This liner paper 8, of proper width and preferably waxed to vform a moisture proof lining, is fed from the roll 8a as shown, over idler rolls 10 and 11 to the feed roll 12 on shaft 5, and beneath roll 13 to the feed table 6. rlhe rolls 10 and 13 are in frictional Contact with the roll 12 so as to rotate with the latter and insure the posi-` tive feeding forward of a certain amount of paper governed by each intermittent rotae tion of the roll 12. This, intermittent movement of the roll 12 is effected, as shown, by a cam 15 on the shaft 3, acting upon one arm 16 of a quadrant lever 17 pivotallyv supported on the shaft 4, its other arm 18' pivotally carrying a toothed rack bar 19 held in constant mesh with a gear 20; which gear has a ratchet engagementwith the roll 12 so that said roll will be positively driven in one direction only, the gear 20 'rotating idly in the reverse movement of the rack in well known manner. IThis intermittent feed of the roll 12 carries a determined length of paper to the feed table 6, pushing the same forward over one blade 21 of a shears, to a proper location to be acted upon by a plunger device hereinafter more fully described. A movable shearing blade 22 is actuated as shown at proper times by cams 23, 241 on shaft 3, operating through bell cranks 25, 26 connected to said shearing blade 22 by links 27, 28, so that the downward movement of said blade'22 will cut 0E' from the roll of paper a lining blank of proper length. Spring fingers 29 are employed as shown to hold the blank during Thev action thereon during the raising of the blade 22 after the cutting operation, thus insuring the proper feeding forward of the paper at the next rotation of the feed roll l2. The cut off blank 8l is thus laid on the table 6 in proper position beneath a vertically reciprocated plunger; stop pins, if desired, being employed on the plate to guide the paper to its position.

This plunger is of rectangular shape as shown, and is guided at its lower end 1n a bracket 86, and at its upper portion by the shaft 3; a slot 37 in said plunger embracing said shaft and permitting vertical move.- ment thereon. Vertical reciprocation of this plunger 35 is controlled, as shown, by a cam 38 on the shaft 3, which cam effects a determined lifting action and is so shaped as to permit the plunger to fall by gravity fer a purpose hereinafter further explained. The cam 38 as shown, bears upon a roller 39 at the upper end of a slotted bar 40 strung upon the shaft 3 and having its lower end pivotally connected to one member 41 of a bent lever pivotally carried by the shaft 4; the other member 42 of which lever ispivotally connected to a link 43; and the upper end of this link is pivoted at 44 to the upper end of the plunger 35. A balance weight 45 may be attached if desired, to the bent lever 41-42, to regulate the momentum of the plunger. The lower end of the plunger 35 is slotted as shown, so as to forni separated or spaced legs 35, and l preferably provide heating coils 46 within said legs connect them in any suitable manner, not shown, with an electric circuit, Vfor heating the prongs to a desired temperature, as later hereinafter explained.

rlhe table 6 is provided with a rectangular opening 50 in direct ralinement with the plunger 85, which latter passes therethrough in its descending movement to carry the placed lining blank* 8b with it, and upon which the blank is shaped to form a lining preliminary to its insertion in the carton or container. Folding fingers 51-51, 52-52, and 53-58 are fixedly located in the path of the plunger directly beneath the table, as shown, to cooperate with the rectangular opening and the ldescending plunger to prop-v erly .foldthe lining blank. These folding operations are shown diagrammatically in Figs. A7 to 10, and Figs; 5 and 6 clearly indicate the folding fingers. The plunger descending on the blank 8" laid on the table over the opening 50 turns up the two sides a, a; the fingers 51-51, located as shown mainlyy within the opening 50 turn in the vbottom edges ZJ, 5,' the lingers 52-52 then turn over von the plunger edge the extending portions 0, c, of one of the sides a; and the lingers 53, Y53 finally turn in on the folds c, c the extending edges CZ, d, of the other side-a. rlhe lining bla-nk 8b is thus folded into an open-end box shape upon the plunger, ready to be carried by the latter in its further downward vmovement to a properly placed carton or container as later hereinafter more fully described. l preferably add pressing fingers 54, 54 as shown, below the folding' 53, 53 to firmly press the folded side edges of the formed blank upon the plunger edges to firmly crease the same and retain the folds. And I have found in practice that my specially shaped plunger end with its spaced legs 35a 35 works as satisfactorily as a solid rectangular plunger so far as the folding operation is concerned, with particular advantages as later hereinafter ex plained.

rlhe box cartons or containers shown, are previously formed and set up with their` open flap ends uppermost and are fed along the feed way shelf 7 in a step-by-step movement to bring each box into approximate alinenient with the plunger for insertion ofv a liner. This feed way shelf 7 has spaced side walls 61, 61 (Fig, 4) arranged to retain the boxes in vertical position, and a file of boxes are inserted at one end and progressively moved along by a. feed Vslide 62 having a flanged head 66 engaging the last inserted box. This slide is actuated at proper times bv a cam 64 on shaft 3 acting upon one end 65 of lever 66 pivotally carried midway of its length by a shaft 4, and its opposite end 67 having` a sliding pivotal engagement with a pin 68 on the feed device 62. rlhe boxes are preferably moved along the shelf 7 until the end one contacts with the light spring stop 69 at a position just slightly too far to be in absolute alinement with the plunger Spring fingers 70 (Fig. 5) engage the box flaps to press them slightly outward, and the descending plunger with a liner folded thereon as previously described` first contacts with the slightly inclined end flagl to move the box rearward sufliciently to accurately aline the open box with the plunger and permit the falling plunger to carry a liner into the box. This excess feed movement and slight return of the box on the she f 7, insures its accurate placement notwithstanding vunavoid able varitions in the boxes, which inaccuracies would otherwise be multipleid by the number of boxes between the plunger 35 and the slide head 63. This slide head may be made radjustable, as shown, for accurately setting the head to the average feed required, and the above described slight excess feed then cares the feed slide 62, l form, as shown, a feedV way at right angles to the feed end of the shelf 7, the slide walls 80, 80, of which are spaced to guide the box edges, and the bottom being formed by an endless belt 81 suit- 130 ably operated to carry the boxes, toward the shelf 7 the boxes sliding on said belt when shelf 7 is full. An air blast from pipe 82 is provided to retain the boxes in vertical position, and for light boxes this blast can be made sufcient to feed the boxes forward without the aid of the belt. The boxes are placed by the operator between the walls 80, 80, with the side iaps to the rear as shown, and they may be inserted in batches conveniently if desired, the feed slide 62 drawing them one at a time from this supply. It will be noted that the head 63 of the slide 62 has extensions 63 which retain the boxes in the supply feed way during the forward movement of the slide, the return movement uncovering the space made vacant by the pushing forward of the boxes on the shelf 7, the belt or air blast then carrying the supply of boxes forward 4until the forward one occupies this vacant space ready for the next forward movement of lthe slide 62.

The operation will be readily understoodV from the foregoing detailed description of the various movements, the boxes being carried one at a time to a position under the liner forming and inserting plunger 35, whichlatter in its downward movement carries each severed lining blank through the table opening 50 and the alined folding fingers beneath the same, to form on the plunger a folded lining, so that further downward movement of the plunger carries this liner into the box. Difficulty has been experienced in retaining this lining in the box upon the return upward movement of the plunger', especially when waxed paper is employed as is generally desired. For this reason I have slotted the end of the plunger 35, and heated each of its prongs 35a 35a, as previously stated. This slotted end not only prevents the creation of a vacuum in the box by the withdrawal movement of the plunger, and consequent likelihood of the liner remaining on the plunger, but also permits of the limited heating required. This heating causes the paper lining to slide easily on the plunger, and also fixes the folded edges of the blank to their creased shape; but the heat slightly affects the glaze of the paper and this effect is reduced by the fork-shaped form of the plunger. In providing for lifting the plunger positively while utilizing gravity only to effect the forming and inserting of the blank, the weight of the plunger and the extent of the lift are so arranged as to secure a momentum suflicient for these purposes under normal conditions, but insufficient to crush an improperly formed or opened box presented to the plunger; such a box being readily removed and reused when the plunger is reraised, without stoppage of the machine. The preferred construction specifically presented may be readily modi- Vprising a reciprocative plunger, and a liningfied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is: I Y

l. In a machine for liningsheet-material boxes; an apertured lining-blank support, a box support below the same, and mechanism for forming and inserting the lining comprising a gravity-operated plunger and means for adapting the momentum thereof to merely overcoming the normal resistance of forming and unobstructedly inserting the blank into the box.

2. In a machine for lining sheetinaterial boxes having 11p-standing closing flaps, comprising a reciprocative plunger, and a'liningblank support having a plunger aperture and forming devices for said blank; means for first feeding boxes successively to supported position below said plunger but slightly out of alinement therewith, and for s subsequently positioning the same accurately by action of the descending plunger.

3. In a machinefor lining sheet-material boxes having 11p-standing closing flaps, comblank support having a plunger aperture and forming devices for said blank; means for feeding boxes successively to supported position below said plunger aperture but slightly out of alinement therewith; and flap-engaging means adapted to bend an upstanding box iiap to an outward incline in the path of the descending plunger whereby contact of the latter is adapted to accurately position the box.

4c. In a machine for lining sheet-material boxes having up-standing closing flaps, comprising a reciprocative plunger, and a liningblank support having a plunger aperture and forming devices for said blank; means for feeding boxes successively to supported positionv below said plunger aperture comprising a force-jet nozzle positioned to continuously operate upon a series of movably supported boxes.

5. In a box lining machine comprising a lining-blank support having a plunger aperture and blank-forming devices, and a box support; a reciprocatively operated plunger formed with spaced-apart box-entering 115 members.

6. In a box lining machine comprising a lining-blank support having a plunger aperture and blank-forming devices, and a box support; a reciprocatively operated plunger 120 formed with spacedapart box-entering members each provided with internal heatin means.

In a box lining machine comprising a liningblank support having a plunger ap- 125 erture and blank-forming devices, and a reciprocatively operated plunger; a main box feed-way below said plunger adapted to contain a series of contacting boxes and having a supply extension arranged at right angles 130 thereto, and a reciprocating feed device in said main feed-way having a head portion adapted to serve as a closure for said right angled extension.

8.- In a box lining machine comprising a lining-blank support having a plunger aperture and blank-forming devices, and a reciprocativcly operated plunger; a main box feed-way below said plunger having a supply extension arranged at right angles thereto, continuous but non-positive box feeding means in said supply extension, and a reciprocating feed device in said main feedway having a head portion adapted to serve as a closure for said right angled extension.

9. In a box lining machine, a main feedway, anfextension feed-way at right angles thereto, a headed reciprocating feed device for said main feed-way adapted to close and open the exit end of said extension feed-way, and an air jet nozzle directed longitudinally of said extension feed-way to maintain the boxes therein in vertical position and exert feeding pressure thereon.

l0. ln a box lining machine, amain feedway, an extension feed-way adapted to con-V tain a series Of contacting boxes at right angles thereto, a headed reciprocating feed device for said main feed-way adapted to close and open the exit endof said extension feed-way, and a conveyer belt in said supply feed-way adapted to feed a box to said container feed-way at each reciprocal movement of the feed-slide.

l1; ln a box lining machine, a main feedway, an extensionl feed-*way at right angles thereto, a headed reciprocatingV feed device for said main feed-way adapted to close and open the exit end of said extension feed-way, a conveyer belt in said supply feed-way adapted to feed a container box to said conf tainer feed-way at each reciprocal movement ofV the feed-slide, and an air jet nozzle c0- operating with said feed belt.

l2. ln a box lininff machine, a vertically reciprocated plunger, an apertured liningblank support, an intermittently Operated roll adapted to feed a lining strip to position under the plunger, anda knife for severing blank, and a force jet nozzle arranged to control the forward end of the outwardly fed strip. Y

ln testimony whereof l aliix my signature.

' Warren s. wanna. 

